Public Transit

Escondido BREEZE Rapid

Construction and improvements on the Escondido BREEZE Rapid is complete. Thanks to everyone who joined us at the launch ceremony for the BREEZE Rapid — the region’s first rapid bus service.

We appreciate our partnership with Westfield North County Shopping Mall for helping to host the event.

Bus stops have been consolidated from the existing 31 stops to 25 stops, decreasing bus dwell times. Stops also received physical enhancements such as new benches and shelters and route information posted at stops. Some stops host digital message signs that will tell waiting passengers when the next bus is due to arrive. Many of the new shelters are lighted using solar power. And BREEZE Rapid buses will have a unique look so riders can identify them as they approach. These changes – along with previously completed improvements, such as the special bus lane on Valley Parkway and traffic signal priority for buses running behind schedule – will mean a more comfortable wait at bus stops and more reliable trips and connections.

History

In June 2005, in cooperation with the City of Escondido and NCTD, SANDAG initiated the Escondido BREEZE Rapid bus project. The purpose of this project is to identify and implement improvements to facilitate a “rapid bus” connection between the Escondido Transit Center, downtown and south Escondido, and Westfield North County Shopping Mall (North County Fair). This service also connects to the SPRINTER passenger rail line at Escondido Transit Center, to existing Metropolitan Transit System services, and to future I-15 Bus Rapid Transit services.

This project corridor is identified in the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan, the region’s long-term transportation plan, for improved local and rapid bus services. Transit priority measures include bus stop improvements, queue jump lanes at congested intersections, and transit signal priority. These changes will improve the travel time and reliability of Route 350 without adversely impacting the local transportation system. Route 350 is a six-mile route that suffers from congestion in key locations during the morning and evening commute periods.

The final Environmental Initial Study / Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for this project is available for download below.